Royal Windsor River swim
Discussion
Anyone else doing this? I'm doing the 750m. Mostly just getting practice in for triathlons.
Conditions look good for tomorrow. No wind, coupe of days of warm weather and not much rain. Hopefully the water won't be too cold. Last time I swam in a lake the cold caused a mild panic attack.
Annoying as my swimming has come on massively in the last year and I can swim 750 in the pool in about 14 minutes. If I can replicate that in the lake it would put me 1st place in last years results. As it is will be glad just to finish. Route is half up stream and half down. My plan is to stay out of trouble at the start and keep my breathing under control for the first half, and then if I'm not freaking out fire up and come home strong.
Conditions look good for tomorrow. No wind, coupe of days of warm weather and not much rain. Hopefully the water won't be too cold. Last time I swam in a lake the cold caused a mild panic attack.
Annoying as my swimming has come on massively in the last year and I can swim 750 in the pool in about 14 minutes. If I can replicate that in the lake it would put me 1st place in last years results. As it is will be glad just to finish. Route is half up stream and half down. My plan is to stay out of trouble at the start and keep my breathing under control for the first half, and then if I'm not freaking out fire up and come home strong.
Well I was first out of the water.
Not because I swam faster than anyone else but I was first to have a panic attack and had to get out. Didnt even make the start. Usually I do these things alone this time the wife and kids came to watch adding to the embarrassment.
Need to join an OW club and get some practice. Nor sure if it was the child or the lack of visibility but I just freaked out as soon as I put my head in.
Not because I swam faster than anyone else but I was first to have a panic attack and had to get out. Didnt even make the start. Usually I do these things alone this time the wife and kids came to watch adding to the embarrassment.
Need to join an OW club and get some practice. Nor sure if it was the child or the lack of visibility but I just freaked out as soon as I put my head in.
Been there....
I did my first triathlon earlier in the year, had done 4km sessions in the pool no problem. However prior to the event I had never done an open water swim (this was the sea), swam in my wetsuit, or been in a group. I also thought the swim was 500m, but when I went to registration realised it was 750m. Not a massive distance, but 50% more than I planned for.
As I raced into the water with a smile on my face the horror of it dawned on me quickly. It seemed whenever I needed to breath there was a wave covering my mouth, a hand, or splash.
Heart rate rocketed, I freaked, and although I completed it, I was second last in my heat a long way back from the pack.
Since then I've spoken to a lot of people in the sport and the experiance isn't uncommon.
Sign up for another one and practice some open water before hand. Just like beggining in a pool, it takes a little time and can't be rushed. This time you'll be prepared for all the differnet sensations than that of a pool.
Chin up!
I did my first triathlon earlier in the year, had done 4km sessions in the pool no problem. However prior to the event I had never done an open water swim (this was the sea), swam in my wetsuit, or been in a group. I also thought the swim was 500m, but when I went to registration realised it was 750m. Not a massive distance, but 50% more than I planned for.
As I raced into the water with a smile on my face the horror of it dawned on me quickly. It seemed whenever I needed to breath there was a wave covering my mouth, a hand, or splash.
Heart rate rocketed, I freaked, and although I completed it, I was second last in my heat a long way back from the pack.
Since then I've spoken to a lot of people in the sport and the experiance isn't uncommon.
Sign up for another one and practice some open water before hand. Just like beggining in a pool, it takes a little time and can't be rushed. This time you'll be prepared for all the differnet sensations than that of a pool.
Chin up!
944fan said:
Well I was first out of the water.
Not because I swam faster than anyone else but I was first to have a panic attack and had to get out. Didnt even make the start. Usually I do these things alone this time the wife and kids came to watch adding to the embarrassment.
Need to join an OW club and get some practice. Nor sure if it was the child or the lack of visibility but I just freaked out as soon as I put my head in.
I see you're in Bucks. So it's a bit out of your way. But consider:Not because I swam faster than anyone else but I was first to have a panic attack and had to get out. Didnt even make the start. Usually I do these things alone this time the wife and kids came to watch adding to the embarrassment.
Need to join an OW club and get some practice. Nor sure if it was the child or the lack of visibility but I just freaked out as soon as I put my head in.
Thorpe Open Water Swimming
https://twitter.com/ThorpeOWS
or
Shepperton Open Water swimming.
https://twitter.com/sheppertonswim
I went to Shepperton for the first time yesterday. Testing out my new Huub. (Love it btw!
) Despite it raining constantly. It was really busy for half 7 on a Saturday morning and seems like a nice place to train. Nice vibe about the place. Wasn't especially cold either and the water, whilst not as clear as say Dorney, is not the worst I've swum in. Fiver for up to 4 hours. And make sure you bring a bright coloured swim hat.Thanks for those Rich.
I am in Milton Keynes but I work in Amersham which isn't far from them. Could go early in the morning or after work.
They look like just what I need, a supervised swim I can just turn up and take my time .
There are two lakes in or near MK where I can swim but they are un-supervised and you need a swim buddy. Its hard to find someone willing to float in the water while I struggle to catch my breath.
I am in Milton Keynes but I work in Amersham which isn't far from them. Could go early in the morning or after work.
They look like just what I need, a supervised swim I can just turn up and take my time .
There are two lakes in or near MK where I can swim but they are un-supervised and you need a swim buddy. Its hard to find someone willing to float in the water while I struggle to catch my breath.
Absolutely not uncommon.
Fair play to you for taking on an OW swim in competition for your first time.
I have swum the Windsor tri, and although I am an experienced OW swimmer, I got into quite a bit of trouble at the turnaround, I moved into the mid stream to early and *really* had to give it everything to get round the buoy, once round I felt awful, couldn't get enough air, retching the whole bit.
Decided to float on my back downstream for a couple of minutes...which did the trick, but was close to going for the side...
Know lots of people with similar panic stories, especially if they are in the mixer in a group start. Waiting 30 secs for a much nicer experience seems no big deal, especially if the event is likely to be measured in hours, not seconds...
Fair play to you for taking on an OW swim in competition for your first time.
I have swum the Windsor tri, and although I am an experienced OW swimmer, I got into quite a bit of trouble at the turnaround, I moved into the mid stream to early and *really* had to give it everything to get round the buoy, once round I felt awful, couldn't get enough air, retching the whole bit.
Decided to float on my back downstream for a couple of minutes...which did the trick, but was close to going for the side...
Know lots of people with similar panic stories, especially if they are in the mixer in a group start. Waiting 30 secs for a much nicer experience seems no big deal, especially if the event is likely to be measured in hours, not seconds...
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